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'Imploded' Sculptures Coming to Park Avenue Mall

Ewerdt Hilgemann's 'Implosion' Sculptures Coming to Park Avenue Mall
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YouTube/Magnan Metz Gallery

UPPER EAST SIDE — An artist known for his “imploded” sculptures made using a unique vacuum process is bringing his work to Park Avenue.

Seven of Ewerdt Hilgemann’s pieces, collectively entitled "Moments in a Stream," will be displayed on the Park Avenue Mall between 52nd and 67th streets beginning Aug. 1 and running through November.  The sculptures range in size from 8 to 20 feet and were created especially for the installation.

Hilgemann’s large-form sculptures begin as precise geometric forms made of meticulously welded and polished stainless steel. Once they are complete, Hilgemann uses a vacuum pump to slowly remove the air from within the shape. The change in pressure causes the forms to collapse according to natural laws.

 A rendering of Ewerdt Hilgemann's installation shows an example of the imploded, geometric sculptures for which the artist is known.
A rendering of Ewerdt Hilgemann's installation shows an example of the imploded, geometric sculptures for which the artist is known.
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Ewerdt Hilgemann

“To me the implosion represents the inward spiral of energy to reach the core and mystery of matter, the ultimate beauty of creation,” the artist said in a statement.

In addition, Hilgemann will show other examples of his work at Chelsea's Magnan Metz Gallery Aug. 7 to 21.

Hilgemann, a German-born artist who now lives in the Netherlands, was strongly influenced by the avant-garde German artist group ZERO, which placed movement and light at the center of its work. The Park Avenue installation coincides with an exhibit on the ZERO Network at the Guggenheim opening this October. 

Hilgemann’s work sits in public and private collections worldwide, including Museum Lenbachhaus in Germany, the Museum Mondriaanhuis in the Netherlands and the Irvine Fine Arts Center in California, among others. He has also had public installations in several locations, including Busan, South Korea, and West Hollywood.